28.7.16

So, as with the last couple of puzzles, this is another cuboid. Where the others have had a common number of sides (3×3x5, 3×3x9, 3×3x6) this one is different. All three are different. 2 by 3 by 4. This allows some strange things to happen….

It changes shape.

If you’re fairly new to puzzling, maybe with a bit of experience with standard nxnxn puzzles (2×2, 3×3 etc.), this will be a whole new world for you!!

As well as new algorithms and ways of solving (180 degree turns), you’ve now got a new problem. Restructuring!

As with higher order puzzles (particularly as a beginner), you will need to reduce this back to shape before you can start solving it! That’s where your problems begin, my friend….

As with higher order puzzles, reduction comes at a cost. Sometimes parity. Sometimes, false equivocation (see Superantoniovivaldi on the links page).

Where you are putting this back to shape, you may notice some of the pieces look exactly the same. That’s where the similarities end. Looks. Each piece still has its own place. Put two in the wrong places and you’ll know about it. At the end.

I won’t go massively into parity here, because (a) it’s not that kind of blog and (b) a million people can explain it a million times better than I can (see Twisty Puzzles forum in the links page).

Suffice to say, these shape-shifters will open up a whole new world and this 2x3x4 is just the beginning….

For a starter, his is a bargain around ten pounds. You can get it from most of the usual suspects. Just beware: this puzzle didn’t arrive fully functional. Some moves would bandage it and stop it moving further. Mine came with the extra pieces to fix this (that was a puzzle in itself). Maybe check with your retailer that these come with the puzzle. They should do, but old stock may not.